Sculpted by Harry Gray, the Rose and Poppy Gates are dedicated to the memory of rugby players who served and died in conflicts around the world. They were unveiled in April 2016 as part of the RFU’s First World War centenary programme.
The bronze gates depict roses, as worn by generations of English rugby internationals, gradually transforming into poppies. There are 15 roses on each gate, modelled on those worn by the Grand Slam-winning England team of 1914. Poppies at the top are formed from actual shell-casings fired during the 1914–18 conflict.
The foundry received sculpted moulds from Harry Gray and copied the design to create resin boards for pattern production before block moulding.
Project details are based on the published case record. The hero artwork is illustrative; original project photographs, where available, appear below.
